A Chinese police deputy was fired as a result of the restaurant attack.
Following an investigation into a brutal attack on a group of women in a restaurant, a local deputy police director in China was fired.
A group of men attacked four female diners in Tangshan city.
The incident, which was captured on a viral video, sparked a heated debate in China about gender violence.
According to a report released on Tuesday, the deputy director, surnamed Li, and other police officers handled the case “slowly and improperly.”
In the early morning hours of June 10, a man approached a woman and placed his hand on her back. The woman pushed him away in response.
The man can then be seen striking.
The men are also seen attacking her dining companions. Another woman who attempted to intervene was pushed away and landed on her back against the stairs.
Officials said two of the women were admitted to the hospital and were in “stable condition and not in mortal danger,” while two others suffered minor injuries.
According to report, police arrived at the scene at 03:09 (19:09 GMT), nearly half an hour after receiving the first police call at 02:41.
According to the report, the suspects fled the scene just minutes after the crime, prompting many people on social media to criticize the police response.
Police later announced that nine people had been arrested on suspicion.
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According to the report, which was issued by Hebei’s provincial public security department, the police conducted “in-depth investigations into untimely police dispatch… and serious violations of discipline.”
“[The incident] had a negative impact and sparked widespread concern,” it continued.
It went on to say that, in addition to the police deputy director of Lubei province, where Tangshan is located, four other police officers were being investigated.
According to the report, one of the main suspects was also suspected of a number of other crimes, including illegal gambling, illegal detention of others, and causing trouble.
Police said they were expanding their investigation to determine whether the suspects were affiliated with criminal gangs.